Transfering files: Please help newbie

[bene17]

I have an iMac Intel Core2duo, 10.4.11 and I've just got a white macbook 10.6 which has a firewire slot.
I have no idea how to transfer files from my iMac to the mb - can you help, please?
I have not yet started the mb, in case I can use the setup assistant to migrate files.
so I'd be glad if someone can tell me [a] HOW to transfer files, HOW to transfer iPhoto, [c] HOW to transfer iTunes
and if I need to buy a cable, then what to look for
Thank you for any help: please forgive my asking what must seem an obvious question to you!
bene17 is online now Report Post Edit Message

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Use a Firewire 6-pin to 6-pin (Firewire 400) cable to connect both and start the iMac in Target Disk Mode (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1661). Then start the MB and let the Setup Assistant check the iMac and transfer whatever you need. But know, that some applications might not be compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 if they were written for 10.4.11.

 

[bene17]

Thank you for this: would you use firewire or ethernet? I have now seen further comments saying ethernet is 'better' without being clear as to why.
Can I select what I want to transfer - ie iPhoto, and iTunes, rather than every file in - say - Pages.

Is there a way of transferring address book across, or must I enter details manually?
Thank you again for your help

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Thank you for this: would you use firewire or ethernet? I have now seen further comments saying ethernet is 'better' without being clear as to why.
Can I select what I want to transfer - ie iPhoto, and iTunes, rather than every file in - say - Pages.

Is there a way of transferring address book across, or must I enter details manually?
Thank you again for your help

If you use Setup Assistant, you can transfer your entire account from the iMac to the MB and have all your photos and music too, even the address book listings, as they are stored inside your user folder (called Home Directory).

If both Macs have a Gigabit Ethernet port, the transfer should be twice as fast compared to Firewire 400, but you don't need to start the iMac in Target Disk Mode for that. Just make sure to get a proper Gigabit Ethernet cable (CAT5e or CAT6).

 

[bene17]

If you use Setup Assistant, you can transfer your entire account from the iMac to the MB and have all your photos and music too, even the address book listings, as they are stored inside your user folder (called Home Directory).

If both Macs have a Gigabit Ethernet port, the transfer should be twice as fast compared to Firewire 400, but you don't need to start the iMac in Target Disk Mode for that. Just make sure to get a proper Gigabit Ethernet cable (CAT5e or CAT6).

I have ordered a cat5e cable, please could you say exactly what order I need to do it. I don't want to get it wrong! I guess that I plug in the ethernet cable to connect the iMac 10.4.11 [intel core2duo], then power-up the MB. Will the MB setup assistant take over, or is there anything else I need to do first?
My iMac uses iLife and iWorks 06; and Office 08 - Will the files be recognised by MB running 10.6 ?